てくる

to do… and come back, to become, to continue, to start

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てくる is a versatile Japanese grammatical structure that is used to express actions or events that come toward the speaker or actions that start and continue toward the present moment. It combines the て-form of a verb with "くる" (meaning "to come"), which adds the nuance of direction or arrival.

Depending on the context, it can imply going somewhere and returning after performing an action, something beginning and leading to the present, or gradual changes over time.

The negative form てこない is used to express the absence of an expected action or event that does not come toward the speaker or start as anticipated.

Whether used literally or metaphorically, てくる is an essential tool in everyday Japanese for expressing movement, progress, and ongoing changes in both physical and abstract contexts.

Structure

Verb［て］+ くる

Verb［て］+ きます (polite)

Verb［て］+ きた

Verb［て］+ きました (polite)

Negative Form:

Verb［て］+ こない

Verb［て］+ きません (polite)

JLPT Level

Key uses

1. Indicating leaving and returning

てくる is commonly used to show that the speaker is going somewhere to do something and then coming back afterward. This conveys that the action will take place away from the current location, but the speaker will return.

[ Additional Insight ]

This structure is very practical for everyday situations. It's commonly used to describe errands or quick tasks, such as fetching something or checking on a situation, with the expectation that the speaker will return.

2. Describing changes over time

てくる can express gradual changes or developments that accumulate toward the present moment. This is often used to talk about things like changes in weather, emotions, or conditions.

[ Additional Insight ]

This usage highlights progression or evolution, focusing on how a state has developed over time. It pairs well with verbs like なる ("to become") or ｜増《ふ》える ("to increase") to emphasize how things are moving toward the present state.

3. Expressing realizations or ongoing processes

てくる is also used to describe realizations or processes that began in the past and continue to influence the present. It’s common in contexts where personal growth, understanding, or realizations are involved.

[ Additional Insight ]

This use adds depth to statements by showing that the speaker’s understanding or feelings have evolved. It emphasizes a process that has unfolded over time, leading to the current realization or state.

4. Using てきた to indicate continuous actions up to the present

When used in past contexts, てきた highlights continuous actions that started in the past and persist to the present. This usage is particularly useful for discussing habits, efforts, or progress over time.

[ Additional Insight ]

This is particularly useful for describing achievements, progress, or habits that have required consistent effort. It connects past actions to present outcomes, emphasizing continuity.

5. Showing actions leading toward the speaker

In some contexts, てくる describes actions that are literally or metaphorically directed toward the speaker. This is particularly common in physical movement or metaphorical actions where the "arrival" is significant.

[ Additional Insight ]

This usage emphasizes the arrival or directionality of an action, making it essential for describing movement or the reception of news or updates.

6. Describing unfulfilled expectations or delays

てこない is used when an expected action, event, or response does not occur or has not arrived. It highlights the absence or failure of something anticipated to "come" toward the speaker or to happen.

[ Additional Insight ]

This usage is ideal for expressing frustration, disappointment, or uncertainty when an expected outcome fails to materialize. It’s commonly used in daily conversation to describe delays, unresponsiveness, or unmet expectations, such as a bus not arriving or someone not showing up.

Comparisons

1. ていく

While てくる describes actions or states moving toward the speaker or the present moment, ていく describes actions or changes that move away from the speaker or toward the future. ていく implies a process that begins and will continue moving forward.